Polymer Engineering Faculty Research

Polymer blends containing liquid crystals. A Review

Robert Weiss, The University of Akron

Abstract

This paper reviews the literature of polymer blends containing low and high molar mass liquid crystals. Low molar mass liquid crystals have been used as plasticizers for thermoplastic polymers and in applications such as electrooptics, optical recording media, and membranes. High molar mass liquid crystalline polymers have been primarily used in polymer blends as processing aids and as an incipient reinforcing phase for “self-reinforced” materials. This review discusses the phase behavior, rheology, and mechanical properties of these blends.